Both men had had prolonged experience in frontier fighting against the Indians.

Tarleton called Marion the "old swamp fox" because he often escaped through using by-paths across the great swamps of the country.

British communications were always in danger.

A small British force might find itself in the midst of a host which had suddenly come together as an army, only to dissolve next day into its elements of hardy farmers, woodsmen, and mountaineers.
After the victory at Camden Cornwallis advanced into North Carolina, and sent Major Ferguson, one of his most trusted officers, with a force of about a thousand men, into the mountainous country lying westward, chiefly to secure Loyalist recruits.

If attacked in force Ferguson was to retreat and rejoin his leader.